Marie Pyko Named “Mover & Shaker” by Library Journal Magazine

Marie Pyko, Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library’s Public Services Director, has made the prestigious “Movers & Shakers”list of outstanding professionals selected by the editors of Library Journal Magazine, a highly regarded industry magazine. Annually Library Journal editors identify emerging leaders from across the United States who are innovative, creative, and making a difference in their communities. Pyko’s recognition comes from her work evaluating and strengthening the tie between the library’s popular summer reading program and local students’ reading scores.

Pyko led a collaborative research project with Auburn-Washburn school district to measure before and after summer reading scores, demonstrating that more than 80 percent of summer readers improved or maintained reading skills and scores. Rochester Elementary and Shawnee Heights Elementary were able to replicate that success.

“It is not about doing something just because it feels good — we need to be able to measure it to assure it enhances the quality of life for our community,” Pyko said in the article.

Pyko is a mentor and literacy chair for the local branch of Rotary International and Leadership Topeka graduate. She holds a Master’s of Library Science from Emporia State University.

She will be featured along with the 52 other Movers & Shakers in the March edition of Library Journal and celebrated at a special luncheon in June during the American Library Association’s annual conference in Anaheim, Calif. The print feature’s companion website is sponsored by OCLC and available at www.libraryjournal.com/movers2012.

Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library employees are no strangers to the “Movers and Shakers” award. Previous winners include:

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is a 21st-century, landmark library, and features the Alice C. Sabatini Art Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique, meeting rooms, and free computer and Internet access and training.

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A public relations professional, editor and writer, Lisa shares the library story in her blog posts, in the bimonthly Library News, and media interviews. A self-described social media and news nut, Lisa harnesses that passion to raise awareness and understanding of the library's vital role in this community.